We’ve already gone through to the next round of one competition this week. Now for the second? Our march into the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy didn’t even call for us to do anything, but we’re not sure that doing nothing will work in this FA Cup First Round tie. Not after we didn’t get the bye that Chichester City got after Bury went under. We’re 180 minutes from taking on the big boys and it’s Peterborough United indoors first.
Stevenage v Peterborough United: The Preview…
Peterborough United – who are they?
Not that far up the A1 past Biggleswiggle and Sid Neots, Peterborough ain’t a place we’ve had much reason to be. Like the wrong ends of two magnets, us and Posh often kept out of each other’s way just by being busy in other leagues. Not until our humdinger of a 2011 League Cup match did we meet for the first time with purpose. After that, we traded a pair of 1-0 away wins during one season in League One. But that’s been the extent of it so far.
Our Record vs Posh: P 3 — W 1 — D 0 — L 2 — F 4 — A 5 — Pts 3
Last time out: Stevenage 0-1 Peterborough United, 22 February 2014
How are Peterborough United doing so far this season?
Up above the streets and houses, Posh are flying high. Third in the League One table, it’s been fun and games at London Road. With 39 goals in 17 games, they’re sitting top of the division’s scoring and (probably) entertainment charts. While others are doing a bit better in terms of points earned, it’s a good job this ain’t taking place up the road. Posh are yet to draw a blank indoors and have scored at least two in each of their last seven at home.
Overall, 71% of Posh games have ended up with more than 2.5 goals this season – and it helps explain why their League One defensive record is down in the lower third. For a side struggling to score goals (that’s us, btw), this could be a handy little opportunity to get that practice in. And it’s helped by Posh now losing two on the spin, having only lost one in 13 before that. Then again, we are judging this against League One standards – not our own.
Tell us something we don’t know about Peterborough United
If you’ve been to Peterborough and the nickname ‘Posh’ baffles you, here’s where it came from. Back in the 1920s and all that jazz, the boss of a team then known as Peterborough and Fletton United took out an ad saying he was “looking for posh players for a posh new team“. That club went bust in 1932 and the current Peterborough United took up the Posh mantle when formed two years later. Did you know that? No. Did you want to? Hmmm.
When will I see you again?
As we live our life at BoroGuide HQ hidden from the modern world, we’re not sure “again” is a thing here. Maybe you confused us for Ben Affleck or one of those Hollywood lads.
What are the bookies’ odds for this game?
It’s going to be hard to find a decent price on a Posh win. Our guests are odds-on across the board, with 4/6 (multiple) the best we’ve found to date. As for a home win and a bit of an upset? Well, 43/10 (VBet) returns a tidy profit on your investment if it comes in. 16/5 is the price if you think this needs a second showdown. Posh are 2/1 at SkyBet to bag more than three goals, while Over 3.5 may be a shout at 13/8 (multiple) too.
Which Peterborough United player should we watch out for?
It was gonna be George Boyd – but hopes of seeing him grace the Lamex pitch are done for. So, the lad to look out for and keep tabs on instead is Marcus Maddison. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is part of the reason why Posh are ticking over so nicely, with nine goals and six assists in his 16 appearances this season.
Who is our ref this weekend?
Nick Kinseley. Barely a month has gone by since our last meeting, but already we’re back in this ref’s company once more. And we’d be grateful if things would turn out a little better this time round. After a run of four straight, thumping wins on his watch, it didn’t take much for Colchester to see us off last month. Mr Kinseley has overseen three more games since our trip to Essex, adding 10 yellows and a red to his card count for the season so far.
Our Record: P 22 — W 12 — D 5 — L 5 — F 41 — A 23
Last time out: Colchester United 3-1 Stevenage, 05 October 2019
And, finally, what do you reckon?
On current form, Posh seem like one of those teams who back themselves to score more than whoever they play – no matter how many they let in at the other end. It’s not that we doubt our ability to keep things tight, though it’ll be a tough ask to blunt their attack for the whole 90. It’s more we don’t stand much chance in a battle of “who can score more”. And if we don’t strike first, Posh must be supreme favourites to make Round Two.
Stevenage v Peterborough United scorecast: 1-3
